Bitcoin is holding near the $67,000 mark after two consecutive days of losses as broader risk assets remain under pressure amid rising concerns about a potential escalation in the conflict involving Iran. The cryptocurrency was trading at $66,871 mark.

Over the past 24 hours, Bitcoin rose 0.34%, while Ethereum fell 0.18% to trade at the $2,050 level. Among the major altcoins, BNB, Solana, Tron, Dogecoin, Hyperliquid, and Cardano gained up to 1.07%, while XRP slipped 0.32%. The global crypto market capitalisation went up 0.36% to $2.31 trillion, according to CoinMarketCap.

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Piyush Walke, Derivatives Research Analyst, Delta Exchange, said Crypto markets were subdued on Friday, with no major price movements. Both Bitcoin and Ethereum traded largely sideways, while implied volatilities continued to bottom out. Such conditions are often followed by a period of heightened volatility ahead.

From a technical perspective, sellers would need to push prices below $65K to open the door for a deeper decline toward $60K. On the upside, any meaningful recovery would require a move above $69K, reclaiming the 50-day SMA and breaking back into the lower band of the rising channel, Walke added.

In the past week, Bitcoin and Ethereum went up 1.01% and 3.15%, respectively. Among the major altcoins, BNB, XRP, Solana and Hyperliquid slipped up to 6.68%, whereas Tron, Dogecoin and Cardano gained up to 1.78%.
WazirX Market’s Desk said the crypto market remained stable this week with reduced volatility and improving sentiment. Bitcoin traded within the $66,000–$67,000 range, holding key levels despite earlier macro pressure. Ethereum’s performance over the week was impressive, gaining around 3.7%, supported by continued ecosystem activity and capital rotation.
Institutional signals turned constructive. Bitcoin ETFs recorded their first inflows since October as prices stabilised, indicating renewed demand, WazirX Market’s Desk further said.
According to Binance Weekly Market Research, Bitcoin’s correlation with the Global Easing Breadth Index (GCBI) has turned negative post-ETF (2024–2026), signalling growing maturity as the market prices macro trends ahead rather than reacts to them.

“We think this reflects a shift in marginal price-setting from retail to institutions after ETFs. Since assets are priced by the marginal buyer, and institutions process macro information earlier (often 6–12 months ahead of policy moves), positioning can lead the rate cycle rather than lag it.”

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As a result, BTC may have evolved from a macro “lagging receiver” to a “leading pricer.” A peak in easing may already be old news for BTC, and crypto-native drivers—such as policy progress and institutional flows—could matter more than the direction of monetary easing itself, the report further said.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

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COMEX (US) silver’s registered inventory has fallen to 13-14% coverage of outstanding open interest, while March 2026 delivery was unusually high and SHFE (Shanghai) futures now trade at a 12% premium to COMEX, together signaling extreme tightness that creates upside pressure on silver

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The NBA has launched an investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks for their handling of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury status and potential violations of the league’s player participation policy, after the two-time MVP publicly stated he is healthy and wants to play while the team continues to hold him out.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday that the league is examining inconsistent statements regarding Antetokounmpo’s health. The Bucks have listed the 31-year-old forward as out for the past 10 games with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise suffered March 15 against the Indiana Pacers. Antetokounmpo, however, has told investigators he is ready to return and the team will not medically clear him, sources said.

Antetokounmpo addressed the situation directly before Friday’s game against the Boston Celtics, expressing frustration and questioning his relationship with the organization. “You know who you are dealing with,” he told reporters. He added that he has never seen a player of his caliber publicly state he wants to play while being sidelined, and welcomed the NBA’s probe. “There should be” an investigation, he said, according to multiple accounts.

The conflict comes as the Bucks, already eliminated from playoff contention and headed for their first missed postseason since 2016, sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Antetokounmpo has appeared in only 36 games this season due to multiple injuries, including a lengthy calf issue earlier in the year.

The National Basketball Players Association previously criticized the Bucks in late March, asserting that Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play. The union suggested the team might be engaging in tanking to improve lottery odds, stating the player participation policy exists to ensure stars like Antetokounmpo are on the court when able. “Anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement,” the NBPA said.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers had maintained that Antetokounmpo is “progressing” but “just not healthy,” pushing back against the union’s claims in late March. Team officials have told league investigators they do not believe he is ready and that he actually wants to play, creating the conflicting narratives now under review.

The NBA has interviewed Antetokounmpo’s representatives, the Bucks and team doctors as part of the probe, sources told Charania and The Athletic. The investigation focuses on whether the franchise violated rules requiring teams to make healthy players available, particularly as the season winds down with no playoff implications.

Antetokounmpo’s public comments Friday marked a notable escalation. He described the situation as feeling like “a slap in the face” and suggested uncertainty about the future of his relationship with the Bucks. “I just don’t want to be part of it,” he said in one account, raising questions about his long-term commitment to the franchise amid ongoing injury concerns and the team’s direction.

The Greek Freak has averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in his limited action this season while shooting a career-high 62.4% from the field. His absence has contributed to Milwaukee’s struggles, though the team has leaned on other veterans in recent games.

League rules prohibit teams from resting healthy players for non-injury reasons, especially in the context of the new collective bargaining agreement’s emphasis on player availability. Similar investigations have targeted other franchises in recent years over load management and tanking concerns.

The Bucks have not issued a detailed public response to the latest reports beyond standard injury updates listing Antetokounmpo as out. The organization has emphasized caution with the star’s health after a season marked by multiple lower-body setbacks, including groin, calf and now knee issues.

Antetokounmpo’s desire to play contrasts with the team’s apparent preference to shut him down for the remainder of the regular season, which ends in mid-April. With the Bucks out of contention, some observers speculate the front office prioritizes preserving his long-term health and potentially positioning for a higher draft pick or future roster moves.

The situation has drawn widespread attention across the NBA. Fans, analysts and former players have weighed in on social media, with many expressing surprise at the public rift between a franchise cornerstone and his team. Antetokounmpo signed a contract extension in recent years and has been the face of the Bucks since being drafted in 2013, leading them to the 2021 NBA championship.

The timing of the investigation adds pressure as the league office seeks to enforce participation rules uniformly. Outcomes of similar probes in the past have included fines, though more severe penalties are rare unless clear violations are proven.

As of Saturday, April 4, Antetokounmpo remained sidelined for upcoming games, with no updated timetable for his return. The NBA has not commented publicly on the investigation’s progress or potential timeline for resolution.

The episode highlights broader tensions in the modern NBA between player health, competitive integrity and strategic decision-making in a 82-game season. Stars often battle through injuries, but teams increasingly err on the side of caution, sometimes creating friction when a player feels ready.

For the Bucks, the drama unfolds against a backdrop of a disappointing season and questions about the roster’s future direction. Whether Antetokounmpo returns before the season ends — or at all — remains uncertain amid the ongoing probe.

The Greek Freak’s comments Friday suggested he is eager to contribute while he can, emphasizing his competitive drive even in a lost season. “I want to f—ing play,” he said, underscoring the disconnect with the team’s medical and organizational stance.

League officials are expected to continue gathering information in the coming days. Any findings could influence not only the Bucks but also set precedents for how teams manage star players down the stretch of disappointing campaigns.

Antetokounmpo has not elaborated further since his pregame remarks, focusing instead on his personal preparation. The situation adds another layer of uncertainty to what has already been a challenging year for the franchise and its franchise player.

As the regular season concludes, all eyes remain on Milwaukee to see how the investigation unfolds and whether Antetokounmpo makes a late appearance. For now, the public disagreement and league scrutiny have thrust the Bucks into the spotlight for reasons far removed from on-court performance.